HOLMDEL – Municipal officials have unanimously adopted an ordinance that provides for the acquisition of a development easement on a nearly 12-acre parcel in Holmdel.
Township Committee members took the action on Aug. 14. The parcel known as the Callan property at 153 Everett Road will be preserved for agricultural purposes only. The acquisition of the development easement means the property will not be developed.
Mayor Tom Critelli, Deputy Mayor Gregory Buontempo, Committeeman Eric Hinds, Committeeman Michael Nikolis and Committeeman Rocco Pascucci voted to adopt the ordinance and secure the parcel for farm use only.
According to a resolution that was passed by the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders in July, the freeholders confirmed their commitment to pay $208,884 toward the purchase price of $688,187 for the development easement on the Callan property.
The other entities joining the county in the acquisition of the development easement are the state, which will pay $300,000; Holmdel, which will pay $158,096; and the Friends of Holmdel Open Space, which will pay $21,206, according to the freeholders’ resolution.
“This acquisition will protect and preserve approximately 12 acres of land,” Critelli said in a statement. “The property was designated as a target farm by Monmouth County and has been included in the township’s open space plan for many years.
“Committeeman Hinds has played an integral role in the acquisition (of the easement) and has worked tirelessly with the Callan family and township personnel to help preserve this piece of farmland. I applaud all of their efforts and commitment to this process,” Critelli said.
Residents thanked the committee members for voting to preserve the undeveloped land and to prevent any future development on the property.
“We were able to partner with the state and the county to preserve this space at a minimal cost to the town,” Hinds said.
The process of acquiring the development easement took about three years, officials said.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Lea Shave, who is running as an independent candidate for Township Committee, asked how many lawsuits related to affordable housing are pending against Holmdel.
Township Attorney Michael Collins said there is one lawsuit pertaining to affordable housing that has been brought to the governing body’s attention. Collins said he could not disclose details of the pending litigation, but he told Shave multiple parties are involved and that municipal officials are addressing the legal matter.